Finland joins new European space race with eyes on Earth
As the European Union pushes for more autonomy in space, Finland… with security threats and environmental changes – all from orbit.
The two technologies and why they matter
Tero Vauraste, a senior adviser to both ICEYE and Kuva Space, explains… “SAR tells you what’s physically changed – what moved, what didn’t, and how it changed. Hyperspectral tells you what things are made of, how healthy they are, what chemicals they contain, what crops are stressed, where algal blooms are forming. Used together, they reveal a far more complete picture of activity and risk.” He likens SAR to seeing the ocean’s waves regardless of clouds or darkness, and hyperspectral to understanding what’s in the waves, how long they take to return, and where they are on the wave.
In contrast, Kuva Space’s hyperspectral imaging provides information… whether camouflage nets might be concealing equipment underneath. “Put together, these two technologies give you a far more complete picture of what’s happening on the ground,” Vauraste says.
Hyperspectral satellite imaging detecting camouflaged equipment in a forest area. Photo: Kuva Space
While Finnish ICEYE has already pioneered Europe’s first miniaturised SAR satellites… Kuva Space is building a constellation of hyperspectral microsatellites to complement that capability – starting with Hyperfield-1 – and plans to grow that into a 100-satellite constellation by the end of 2030.
“That kind of ramp-up is extraordinary,” Vauraste asserts. “It will bring a whole new layer of intelligence alongside radar.”
Fitting into the Nordic space puzzle
In the broader Nordic space… with ICEYE and Kuva Space at the forefront. What unites the Nordics is their geography: satellites in polar… a place to launch rockets, track satellites, and collect their data – from Norway’s Andøya Space launch site to KSAT ground stations across the Arctic.
Why Europe is racing for space autonomy
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022… how vulnerable Europe was to disruptions beyond its control. Russia’s aggression also exposed Europe’s reliance on U.S. intelligence… to bolster Europe’s defence systems, in space and on the ground.
Integrating with the European Space Agency
ICEYE is already plugging directly into Copernicus, the European Union’s Earth-observation programme implemented in partnership with the European Space Agency. Kuva Space is moving toward similar integration… and both companies continue to attract interest from investors and venture capitalists, as well as Business Finland.
For Europe, developing these capabilities at home isn’t just about… Europe standing on its own feet, and Finland helping show the way.
